So vast...
The bright star twinkled in the distant, ethereal horizon. Despite countless miles of separation, its light still reached this beautiful Earth. Here, two people were within arm's reach, yet their souls were distant, with no meeting point in sight.
The beer can emptied, Man Ky looked up at the myriad of stars. Ngan Thu's face appeared in his mind, carrying a sky of blue, filled with a sorrowful heart. The spring sunlight carried the scent of that love. When she was the happiest world he had ever known. How to put it? A chance misunderstanding had arisen, and it had left him here, keeping company with the bitter, strong liquor.
The park at night was quite deserted. Occasionally, a few cars would glide past. The night fog descended thickly. At this hour, she was probably sleeping soundly. He wanted to go home, but...
Man Ky sighed wearily, wondering how he could live through these days of torment. One can, then two, he drank a lot. He couldn't understand why she was avoiding him to such an extent.
We are in love, my dear...
The bright lights flashed in his eyes, and he tried to see who was shining them in his face. Suddenly, a motorcycle sped past, and some amateur snatched the blazer he had placed beside him.
"Damn it!" Man Ky jumped up; he couldn't catch the guy. His wallet was still in his pocket, luckily his papers were in the car.
He staggered away. In reality, he wasn't sure where he would find shelter tonight. His wife was indifferent, his wallet was stolen. Why was life so hard! Man Ky walked along the railing towards the street. Each step suddenly became difficult. He felt quite dizzy, and his strength was clearly fading.
"Are you alright?"
Man Ky looked up. Through his drunken haze, he felt someone supporting him. A blurry, hazy face, Man Ky clung to that slender shoulder.
"Cousin..." Before he could finish, Man Ky collapsed onto Jim. He was so drunk he didn't know anything anymore.
...
Man Ky slowly opened his eyelids, feeling a warm sensation all over his face. He startled awake and looked around. Jim was taking care of him, frowning uncomfortably, his head throbbing. Seeing this, Jim quickly brought a cup of hot ginger tea for him to drink.
"Sorry, but why are you here?" Man Ky was still holding his head, and Jim helped him sit up and took care of him attentively. It seemed that gentleness should have been for Ngan Thu. Thinking of her, Man Ky felt utterly dejected.
"Last night, you were too drunk. Your house is nearby, so I brought you back. Are you feeling better? Do you want to eat something?" Jim sat down beside where he was lying. Man Ky tried to sit up; he was extremely tired. It was already five in the morning; how could he go to the company looking like this?
"I'm fine! Sorry to trouble you, I'll go home," Man Ky said, getting out of bed. Suddenly, his head spun. He almost fell to the floor, but Jim managed to catch him just in time.
"Are you alright? Come on, lie down. I'll call a doctor!" Jim took Man Ky's hand, but he shook his head and left. A hint of embarrassment on his face, Jim stood there watching his figure disappear.
...
Seven in the morning, Man Ky looked at the wall clock. He was probably the earliest to work. His stomach was empty, partly from exhaustion, partly from missing his wife's care. Man Ky took a sip of the bitter coffee. Many thoughts wandered in his head. How would he go home today? It would be really embarrassing if Ngan Thu saw him like this. Man Ky wearily looked at his face. After just one night, his beard and hair had grown so long!
A familiar knock on the door, the cheerful assistant appeared. He was a little surprised that Man Ky had arrived earlier than usual. Even so, he could guess some of the situation from yesterday.
"Good morning, sir! Could you please approve this document?"
Man Ky had a terrible headache; he picked up the document, glanced at it, and placed it on the table. The assistant knew everything; he placed a food box in front of him.
"The delivery staff brought this for you. I don't know who sent it. Please accept it!"
Man Ky was stunned. The assistant shyly left. He opened the box; it contained egg rolls, lettuce, sausage, and grilled meat. It looked quite delicious.
Could it be Ngan Thu?
Man Ky pressed his stomach, thinking about it for about ten minutes. Finally, he decided to eat it!
Whatever! Gotta deal with this hunger first. Surely no one would poison him! If he died... he wouldn't be a hungry ghost!
...
A light rain fell. It was strange, those clear crystal droplets seemed to contain the emotions of the world. Ngan Thu reached out her hand to catch them, feeling a pleasant coolness. If only Man Ky understood what she was thinking, how happy she would be.
Mi Lac?
Ngan Thu caught sight of Mi Lac's figure below in the main hall. Had she come to take shelter from the rain or to find Man Ky? Ngan Thu's expression was quite unpleasant. Obviously, she was jealous, but she just ignored it! Mi Lac walked in unhurriedly. Just then, the assistant happened to appear. He immediately dealt with the situation that could cost him his salary at any moment.
"Ms. Mi Lac! Do you have an appointment?"
"Get out of my way!" Mi Lac snapped her chin up. She came from a prestigious family. It was so frustrating; Mi Lac kept clinging to Man Ky even though she knew he had a wife. The assistant stretched out his arms to block her, and Mi Lac frowned and yelled.
"Who do you think you are, daring to block my path? Let me tell you, I'm here to discuss business on behalf of my father. Do you understand?" Her angry attitude made the assistant quite annoyed. Mi Lac's father was also a major shareholder in this corporation. The assistant was flustered, not knowing what to do. Offending the young lady would be bad, but disobeying the general director would surely be fatal!
"Well, Ms..." Before he could finish, the assistant hurriedly followed Mi Lac. She rushed into Man Ky's office very casually.
"Sir, it's not me. It's her..." The assistant mumbled, while Mi Lac moved closer to where Man Ky was sitting. His face turned pale; he seemed very angry! The assistant clutched his fingers, his expression extremely unpleasant.
"What are you doing here?" Man Ky stood up, and Mi Lac quickly looped her arm through his, smiling. Regardless of the assistant's presence, she displayed intimate gestures and joked around.
"I came to discuss work!"
He frowned slightly, Mi Lac's hand was too forward. Man Ky angrily looked at the assistant.
"Please. It's not me!" The assistant held his head, and Man Ky pushed Mi Lac's hand away. He pointed to the door.
"Are you leaving on your own, or do I need to call someone to escort you out?"
"You..." Mi Lac's face darkened, she flew into a rage and left immediately. The sound of the door slamming shut was deafening. Man Ky sat down on his chair in frustration, and the assistant stood silently, not knowing what else to say.
What the hell is going on?
...
"That Ms. Mi Lac came to see the boss again. It's really outrageous!" The female colleague looked at Ngan Thu. She hadn't intended to speak, just pondering over her milk coffee.
A touch of light sadness adorned her rosy cheeks. A tender, gentle, pure gaze. Cherished memories filled the depths of her drifting heart. Love suddenly faded with the yearning years.
Perhaps, she just wanted to believe that.
Just once...
When he said he loved her, the universe lit up. A wall of light poured down from the brilliant western sky. The girl of years ago had grown up, had enough dreams to be by his side.
The night was still. Sad dewdrops fell to the ground. Spreading across the earth, covering a loving heart...
The cold wind ruthlessly swept away the past. Man Ky strolled along in the faint afternoon sunlight. The car waited for him to open the door, Man Ky was weary of everything. He was utterly exhausted.
Holding you in my arms is like a distant dream. The figure before my eyes, in an instant, forever out of reach. Only a heart indifferent in my thoughts, is the pain that embraces me when night falls.
The raindrops are not sad, so why does my heart ache with longing?
He tried not to be sad, but he yearned to call her name...